Gently Flowed This October Day.......

From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, I knew this would be a day full of blessings.

I meant to get out and do some errands but I soon decided to celebrate Thursday by staying home.

As soon as I woke up, I opened the bedroom door to the patio to listen to the birds singing and the last few drops of rain fall.

Much fell through the night but we slept through it.

I left Louis Dean sleeping while I turned the coffee on and went through the house waking it up and turning on the lights. I often think of the scripture -"He maketh the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice" - when I go through both the routine of turning the lights on in the mornings and off at night.

I was already in the gazebo with my first cup of coffee and writing in my journal when Louis Dean woke up. I read. I prayed. I sat. I did Tai Chi on the upper kitchen deck under the branches of the northern pecan tree laden heavy with nuts. They peppered down all around but none hit me directly.

I stepped right inside the open French doors to my desk in the sewing room and worked on the edits for chapter one of the book I am writing about our childhood. I've never written a book before so I have no earthly idea if I am doing it right or not. So far I have written a Prologue and four chapters with a grand total of 11,076 words. I have edited more than once and I think it's time to quit stalling and move on to chapter five....which will be more difficult to write than the previous chapters.

The air felt so clean and cool, I couldn't bear to be inside so I kept the doors open all day long and brought my work outside. I wrote several note cards and got them ready to mail tomorrow. October is staff appreciation month at our church and I am truly grateful to have such wonderful pastors and leaders. 

I paid bills and caught up with various nagging bits of paperwork.

And I read some more in my book 'September.' I am in the last section of it and it has truly been a pleasure to read it once again. I had forgotten much of the story line - remembering only the beginning and a chapter or two towards to the end.

After I accomplished a task today, I would fix a snack or something good to drink and go back to my book. As soon as I finish this journal entry tonight, I shall tuck myself into bed and prop up on a few pillows to read some more. I do so love a good book - especially one that paints pictures with the words and makes you feel like you are watching a movie in your mind. 'September' is set in Scotland and has the same feel for me as Downton Abbey.

We only had coffee and a Stella D'Oro biscuit this morning so by late afternoon it was time to eat something more substantial. Fried ham slices, potato/cheese soup topped with fresh herbs and grated cheese, a garlic toasted bun and cooked apples. The apples were cooked in my vintage Miracle Maid skillet - which I have had since the 70's! It is waterless cooking and I sliced up the apples, added brown sugar, nutmeg and some butter - and cooked them on the stove. Delicious!

Louis Dean had been working on his projects outside so he was hungry!!

He had a second helping of soup and a second serving of ham along with two glasses of wine.

It was nearly 7:00 by now and we went to the den to watch a program.....

and he fell fast asleep!

I watched Elementary all by myself but that's okay. LD has a hard time following that show so he only watches it to keep me company.

He woke up in time to catch up on some news and I went off to the dining room to paint.

After wards, I packed up my art things to take with me to the ranch when we go this weekend.

Louis Dean has gone to bed now and I'm about to head that way, too.

The weather has been so good today - while we did not need a sweater - we didn't sweat and complain about the humidity either! I have my Citronella candle burning right beside me as the mosquitoes continue to be a nuisance. But I am not complaining! It has been a lovely day full of all the joys and the simple pleasures of home that I love so much.

I truly have so much to be thankful for tonight.......

and I am pretty sure you do, too.

Sleep well......